Hi, all!
Just wanted to share for those who are about to fly and are tying loose ends like myself:
LTO RED RIBBON CERTIFICATE
I read this blog (http://
kulasangeles.com/getting-a-dfa-certified-lto-certification-red-ribbon) and was also advised by our friend whom we will be staying with in Alberta that it is worth it to get your LTO red ribbon certificate. This was also mentioned in our PDOS session. Granted, you should try to shake off bad (*ahem* Metro Manila *ahem*) driving habits by taking the abbreviated driving courses when you get there, but at least you won't need a licensed driver with you when you do start driving.
Here's our experience:
We went to the LTO main office in East Avenue. Parking inside the compound was difficult so we parked outside. We went straight to window 10 and the staff immediately knew what to do. After a small hiccup at the cashier (below), everything proceeded smoothly and we were given our claim stubs and claim schedule at the DFA office.
The only hiccup was the ñ in our name. My husband wrote the ñ on his form, which was not recognized by their system. We decided to drop it altogether as it does not show on your Canadian COPR anyway. To avoid any problems, follow the name as it says on your driver's license. If it needs correction, it will take additional steps.
We then went to the DFA main office in Aseana on the date we were set to claim it. Unfortunately, we wasted precious time here because, after we dropped our claim stubs in the window 19 drop box and waited to be called, in the end, they told us the system was down and to return two days later. Sheesh. I would advise to call if you are short of time. When we did return to DFA Aseana, it was a good thing my husband checked our certificates and realized his certificate was not signed. It was returned immediately to the issuing DFA agent for signing.
SSS CONTRIBUTION AND BILATERAL AGREEMENT WITH CANADA
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/cpp/cpp-international/philippines.html
You might want to continue your SSS. If you contribute to both countries, due to the bilateral agreement, you can get pension once qualified, in both!
Here's our experience:
If there's one thing I can say about the SSS main office staff, it's that they are extremely helpful. My husband and I decided to continue our SSS contribution as "voluntary members". On the same day we went to the LTO main office in East Avenue, we also walked to the SSS main office. We asked to be directed to the International Affairs office. The staff there were extremely helpful, going as far as to check our prior contributions and print us copies of brochures and maps/locations of where SSS payments are accepted in Alberta.
If you decide to continue your SSS, here are your options:
1. have family members who remain in the Philippines pay it for you (have them tick the 'overseas' status on the payment forms)
2. pay from abroad using accredited agencies
3. auto-debit from your remaining Philippine bank account
In the end, we decided on the option #3. We were directed to another office where we were provided forms. These SSS forms were to be written in triplicate, signed and verified by the bank branch where your account is domiciled (e.g. where you opened the account). In our case, my husband and I will render our last days of work less than an month before flying to Canada. Since our companies would give the contributions of our final month here, we were given the option of emailing a scanned copy of the bank branch-verified (and signed) SSS form. Meaning, SSS would only start deducting from our local bank accounts when we've already left our jobs and are actually already in Canada. We plan to keep funding the accounts by wire-transferring to it ourselves, thereby taking out the hassle for relatives in the Philippines.
Since we qualify for pension at age 60 per SSS and age 65 in Canada, when you do file for pension at age 65 in Canada, Service Canada will allegedly help with your SSS claims too. You can "retroactively" get pension from the years prior.
Heard a rumor that someone did this and "back pension" was enough for a fully loaded SUV down payment.
Hope this helps. Sorry for the long post.
A
